These jobs are in-demand in Canada 2023 (2024)

If you are looking for jobs in Canada, there are a number of industries that have a particular demand for talent.

Labour shortages in Canada have long been the driver in the case for high levels of immigration. For this reason, Canada’s immigration system primarily focuses on economic-class immigration. Every year, Canada sets a certain amount of immigrants that it aims to accept. People with in-demand skills in Canada reserve the majority of these spots.

As recently as June 12, Canada introduced two new options for skilled refugees and displaced individuals through the Economic Mobility Pathway Pilot (EMPP).

What jobs are in demand in Canada in 2023?

Based on the latest job vacancy report from Statistics Canada, here are the sectors with the most job openings in Canada according to up to date information form August 2023:

Health care and social assistance — 136,000 vacancies

Although payroll employment is increasing in this sector, it remains to have the most job vacancies in absolute numbers.

This sector primarily includes establishments that provide health care by diagnosis and treatment, as well as residential care and social assistance. Workers may work with ambulatory services, be in hospitals, nursing and residential care facilities, or providing social assistance.

Provincial and territorial governments tend to regulate health care jobs in Canada. Learn more about regulated occupations and how to apply for them as a foreign worker.

Accommodation and food services — 84,700 vacancies

This sector includes workers in tourism and hospitality as well as food and beverage service. Workers may establish themselves in hotels, restaurants, or recreational parks and campgrounds. This number has substantially decreased compared to March 2023 numbers which could reflect the seasonal trend of the accommodation and food services industry.

Canada has some amazing locations to work in accommodation and food services. Canadians and foreigners alike may pursue opportunities to work in Canada’s top tourist destinations, like Banff and Waterton National Park.

Also, check out Moving2Canada’s dedicated page for hospitality jobs in Canada.

Retail trade — 69,000 vacancies

Retail occupations include workers who finalize sales in internet retail, direct selling, mail-order, and brick and mortar retail stores.

In addition to selling merchandise, retailers also engage in after-sales services like repair and installation. For example, car dealers may provide repair services, while window treatment retailers may offer installation services.

For the purposes of Canadian immigration, Canada consider a number of occupations in this sector as ‘skilled jobs’. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) uses the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system to determine which jobs are eligible for which immigration programs.

Certain jobs can make you eligible for programs that allow you to obtain permanent residency and work permits, which aim to make it easier for foreign workers to be hired.

For example, lululemon, with the approval of the British Columbia government, can now hire skilled foreign workers without the need for the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) process.

Construction — 63,600 vacancies

Construction occupations primarily focus on building, repairing, and renovating structures, as well as the subdivision and development of land. The construction sector includes sub divisions in constructing buildings, heavy and civil engineering construction, and specialty trade contractors.

If you’re a construction or engineering professional with experience working on civil, infrastructure and building projects, Outpost Recruitment can help you find a job in Canada. Learn more about Outpost.

Manufacturing — 45,300 vacancies

Jobs in manufacturing typically engage in the chemical, mechanical, or physical transformation of materials into new products.

These jobs may include the manufacturing of materials for consumable products, textiles, wood, plastics, metals and other activities. Some of the most common manufacturing industries in Canada, specifically include:

• Mining, gas, and oil machinery manufacturing
• Sawmill and wood production
• Meat processing
• Seafood processing
• Automobile manufacturing
• Aerospace manufacturing

Learn more about manufacturing jobs in Canada.

Where are these in-demand jobs in 2023?

According to the latest job vacancy report from Statistics Canada, covering August 2023, there are almost 700,000 job vacancies across Canada. So where are these jobs.

As expected, around one third (246,800) of these openings are in the the popular province of Ontario, Quebec coming in second place with 159,000 openings followed by British Columbia with 104,700 and Alberta with 88,700.

How can you job search as a newcomer to Canada?

Moving2Canada has a number of resources for job seekers who are keen to start their careers in Canada. Check out the Moving2Canada job board for the latest postings.

For more information on Canada’s labour market, check out our report on the Labour Force Survey. You can also browse other job resources on the Moving2Canada website such as:

• Teaching Jobs in Canada
• How to Find a Job in Canada Before Arrival
• Career Resources

Keep reading to discover the steps to go from getting a job in Canada to Canadian PR.

Find jobs in Canada

The first step to finding a job in Canada is to Canadianize your resume. Similar to your home country, Canadian employers have specific preferences for resume content.

Even though some people believe cover letters are becoming less common, if a job posting requests one, it’s best to include it. Check out Moving2Canada’s guide on How to Write the Perfect Cover Letter.

From there, it’s best to target your job search. You’ll get better returns than the spray-and-pray method. Go one step further and set up an informational interview, where you reach out to a prospective employer just to talk. You might be surprised how responsive people are.

Get a work permit

There are a number of work permit options for immigration to Canada.

If you are between the ages of 18 to 35 and from one of more than 30 eligible countries, you may be able to come to Canada through the International Experience Canada (IEC) program.

International students who complete eligible programs from Canadian Designated Learning Institutions may be able to get a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) for up to three years (depending on program length.)

The above work permits fall under what is called the International Mobility Program (IMP).

Other work permit options include those under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP), which typically requires Canadian employers to complete a labour market test known as an LMIA.

These are just a few of the many work permits available for Canada.

Apply for Canadian immigration

Canada’s main immigration programs are managed by the Express Entry system. These programs include the Canadian Experience Class, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and some of the Provincial Nominee Program.

Express Entry is an expression of interest selection system. Interested candidates express their interest in immigration to Canada by submitting a profile. Those who meet the criteria for at least one Express Entry-managed program receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score and can then be invited to apply for permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry draw.

Recently, Canada announced that it would begin category-based Express Entry draws. Some of these categories would target Express Entry candidates with at least six months of work experience in an eligible occupation.

This year, Canada will be targeting French-speaking candidates, as well as those who work in the following sectors:

• Healthcare
• STEM
• Trades
• Transport
• Agriculture

To prevent confusion, it is important to note that you need to meet the minimum requirements for an Express Entry-managed program before you can count the six-months of eligible work experience required for category-based selection. So, if you worked six months in STEM, but you don’t have enough work experience to qualify for Express Entry, then you will not be eligible to be in the pool of candidates.

If you’re interested in moving to Canada but not sure which program you may be eligible for, check your eligibility for more than 20 different Canadian immigration programs by taking Moving2Canada’s free Canada Immigration Quiz.